This story was originally published on October 26, 2021, and last updated on October 28, 2021.
Sometimes you’re ready, or you need to switch to a new device. But if you’re moving from one platform to another, there are some things you have to consider. One of those things is whether your data will transfer from one platform to another.
For WhatsApp users, it’s now easier to switch from an iPhone to a Samsung device. WhatsApp Transfer can securely migrate your chat history (including photos and other media), account info, profile photo, individual chats, group chats, and settings. You can’t transfer your call histories, display name, and peer-to-peer payment messages.
This data migration wasn’t possible before because if you use WhatsApp’s cloud backup feature, iOS chat histories are stored in iCloud while Android’s are in Google Drive. That means it’s only possible to transfer your chats between phones running the same operating system.
Transferring your data locally (or by cable) means the information doesn’t go to cloud storage. However, it might still be there if you’ve used Chat Backup, which would store your chat history on iCloud (for iOS users) or Google Drive (for Android users). WhatsApp also won’t see the data you transfer.
Here’s what you need
- Samsung Smart Switch app version 3.7.22.1 or greater installed on your new Samsung device
- WhatsApp iOS version 2.21.160.17 or greater on your iPhone
- WhatsApp Android version 2.21.16.20 or greater on your new device
- USB-C to Lightning cable (or equivalent adapters)
- Use the same phone number on the new device as the old device
- Your new Android device must be factory new or reset to factory settings
What you need to do
- iOS users need to use WhatsApp Transfer during the initial process.
- Turn on your Samsung device and connect by cable to your iPhone when prompted.
- Afterwards, follow the prompt on Samsung Smart Switch.
- A QR code will appear on the Samsung device that you need to scan using the iPhone’s camera.
- Tap Start on your iPhone to start the transfer process. Then you’ll continue the setup on your new Samsung device.
- Open WhatsApp and sign in using the same number you’ve used on your iOS device.
- Tap Import when prompted and complete the process. Once done, your chats should appear then.
You can still access your chat history on your iOS device. That history will only disappear if you manually delete the messages or uninstall the app.
After rolling out to Samsung devices, this chat history transfer tool is coming to the wider Android ecosystem. Unlike the Samsung rollout, where the feature arrived on Android 10 and above Samsung devices, the release is limited to Android 12 smartphones. That means it’s only available on Pixel devices, for now. Google says it’ll be available to new smartphones launching with its latest mobile operating system soon.
The process seems to be similar to how you’ll transfer to Samsung, though. You’ll still need a Lightning-to-USB-C cable to connect the two phones and follow the procedure above.
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UPDATE 1: 2021/10/28 8:40 A.M. GMT+8 BY NICOLE BATAC
Added rollout information to Pixel devices